Step 1: Use the Five Text Structures chart to explain what text structures are and what clues students can use to identify text structures.

Step 2: Help students understand the importance of understanding text structure by explaining that a reader who is aware of the patterns that are being used can anticipate the kind of information that will be presented.

Example: If we we know a selection follows a “compare and contrast”
organization, we can expect to read about likeness and differences
between people or things. This will help us connect ideas and remember
them.

Step 3: Have students reread “ Stopping a Toppling Tower.”

Step 4: Ask students to identify what type text structure this selection is ( problem and solution ). Ask them, “How does the reader know?” They should be able to identify that the first paragraph states that there is a “problem.” The second paragraph states that engineers have found a “solution.” What headings offered clues?